Description
Inspect automobiles to appraise collision or other damage and determine accurate repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare detailed estimates and appraisal reports, documenting parts, labor, and recommendations. Coordinate with repair facilities and insurers to agree on scope and cost of repairs, or recommend total-loss and salvage values.
- • Inspect damaged vehicles to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, and interior damage.
- • Estimate parts and labor using estimating software, parts/pricing databases, and repair standards.
- • Review and negotiate estimates with repair shops to reach agreement on scope and cost.
- • Evaluate repair feasibility versus declaring a total loss based on pre-loss market value.
- • Calculate salvage value and document total-loss recommendations.
- • Prepare appraisal reports, claim forms, and photo documentation.
- • Request reinspection or a second appraisal to resolve estimate disputes.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
